Michigan State picks up cornerback Jaylon Braxton, third highest recruit in class

East Lansing, Michigan – After losing top defensive recruit Jamal Anderson, Michigan State picked up the third-highest commitment in cornerback Jaylon Braxton.

Head coach Mel Tucker of the Michigan State Spartans holds the championship trophy after defeating the Pittsburgh Panthers during the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl.
Head coach Mel Tucker of the Michigan State Spartans holds the championship trophy after defeating the Pittsburgh Panthers during the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl.  © Adam Hagy / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

When Jamal Anderson – son of the Atlanta Falcons' legendary running-back of the same name – chose Clemson over Michigan State, the Spartans lacked a big-time prospect in their 2023 class.

But Michigan State didn't stay down for long as four-star cornerback Jaylon Braxton from Texas announced his commitment to the Spartans via Twitter.

Braxton's original announcement date was slated for July 9. But following his official visit to East Lansing at the beginning of June, the cornerback made it clear his sights were set on Michigan State.

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Braxton chose the Spartans over offers from Penn State, California, Arkansas, and LSU, amongst others.

The 5-foot-11, 170-pound rising senior at Lone Star High School is the No. 27-ranked cornerback in the country, according to 247Sports.

His recently announced commitment gives the Spartans two top-35 cornerbacks in their 2023 recruiting class. Fellow cornerback and Spartan recruit Chance Rucker is rated No. 33.

Braxton and Rucker, along with three-star prospect Eddie Pleasant, create a strong trio of cornerbacks for Mel Tucker’s third recruiting class as head coach.

The addition of Braxton will move the Spartans up to No. 9 nationally in the 247Sports team recruiting rankings.

Cover photo: Adam Hagy / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

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